[Thirty4]

Looking for some help in figuring out what kids activities are available for a trip to the Outer Banks. Does anyone have any experience with this and could offer any advice? Of course they will have the beach....but I am looking for something outside of that. They do not fish yet, so that would be off the list. Any light trails for the 4runner? Please, let me know.

Also, would you suggest anywhere different than the Outer Banks? Somewhere better for kids?

[jgmx893]

I don't know of too much in terms of entertainment for your kids, but there's a lot down there. Lots of restaurants, a couple mini-golf places, etc. Probably wouldn't be hard to find somewhere. In terms of trails for the 4runner, it depends on what part of the outer banks you're going to. Up on the north end is Carova, you can drive on the beach all the way up to the VA border, and there's also trails that branch off of the beach and work their way inland to the sound. Further south, you can drive on the beach at Oregon Inlet, and Cape Hatteras to name a couple. Oregon/hatteras do tend to get kinda crowded though.

[Muzzle of Bees]

Originally Posted by Thirty4

Looking for some help in figuring out what kids activities are available for a trip to the Outer Banks. Does anyone have any experience with this and could offer any advice? Of course they will have the beach....but I am looking for something outside of that. They do not fish yet, so that would be off the list. Any light trails for the 4runner? Please, let me know.

Also, would you suggest anywhere different than the Outer Banks? Somewhere better for kids?

Jockey's Ridge State Park is fun. It is a big sand dune that you can climb and ride down on a boogie board. It was free when we were there. It has been about 5 years now. The lighthouses, Roanoke the lost colony and Kitty Hawk are great too for education and viewing. There is also a long pier people walk and fish on. It is named for a lady and it was rebuilt recently. There is way more to do of course, but other than eating and more traveling those are some highlights. we drove to Ocracoke Island too. Wanchese has some really good restaurants too.

[01100101]

Originally Posted by Thirty4

Looking for some help in figuring out what kids activities are available for a trip to the Outer Banks. Does anyone have any experience with this and could offer any advice? Of course they will have the beach....but I am looking for something outside of that. They do not fish yet, so that would be off the list. Any light trails for the 4runner? Please, let me know.

Also, would you suggest anywhere different than the Outer Banks? Somewhere better for kids?

There are plenty of things to do there inland with kids as stated previously. This site may help you.

Outer Banks

[mhaze]

Originally Posted by Thirty4

Looking for some help in figuring out what kids activities are available for a trip to the Outer Banks. Does anyone have any experience with this and could offer any advice? Of course they will have the beach....but I am looking for something outside of that. They do not fish yet, so that would be off the list. Any light trails for the 4runner? Please, let me know.

Also, would you suggest anywhere different than the Outer Banks? Somewhere better for kids?

One popular thing to do there is to see the wild horses on Coralla. You could drive on the beach. See: https://www.outerbanks.com/driving-on-the-beach.html

This is a comprehensive guide to the Outer Banks. Tons of stuff to do there.

[Thirty4]

Originally Posted by jgmx893

I don't know of too much in terms of entertainment for your kids, but there's a lot down there. Lots of restaurants, a couple mini-golf places, etc. Probably wouldn't be hard to find somewhere. In terms of trails for the 4runner, it depends on what part of the outer banks you're going to. Up on the north end is Carova, you can drive on the beach all the way up to the VA border, and there's also trails that branch off of the beach and work their way inland to the sound. Further south, you can drive on the beach at Oregon Inlet, and Cape Hatteras to name a couple. Oregon/hatteras do tend to get kinda crowded though.

I will definitely check out the areas you can drive, I am sure my kids would love that especially around sunset. I will also have to look at what encompasses the Outer Banks as I do not know if we are talking minutes or hours to navigate. Thanks for the help!

[Thirty4]

Originally Posted by Muzzle of Bees

Jockey's Ridge State Park is fun. It is a big sand dune that you can climb and ride down on a boogie board. It was free when we were there. It has been about 5 years now. The lighthouses, Roanoke the lost colony and Kitty Hawk are great too for education and viewing. There is also a long pier people walk and fish on. It is named for a lady and it was rebuilt recently. There is way more to do of course, but other than eating and more traveling those are some highlights. we drove to Ocracoke Island too. Wanchese has some really good restaurants too.

Sand dune's is definitely going on the list....thanks for that!

[Thirty4]

Originally Posted by mhaze

One popular thing to do there is to see the wild horses on Coralla. You could drive on the beach. See: https://www.outerbanks.com/driving-on-the-beach.html

This is a comprehensive guide to the Outer Banks. Tons of stuff to do there.

That wild horses would be a site to see for sure. You just don't see that everyday. Thanks for the site, I will check that out now!

[Thirty4]

Thank you everyone for the great info....this helps as I like to receive comments/information from those in the know. You usually find the best spots that way.

[OBXrunner88]

The aquarium over in Manteo has recently been renovated and is a great place to take the kids. Also check out the Children's Museum in Kitty Hawk. The activities available to you really depend on where you are staying.

[Thirty4]

Originally Posted by OBXrunner88

The aquarium over in Manteo has recently been renovated and is a great place to take the kids. Also check out the Children's Museum in Kitty Hawk. The activities available to you really depend on where you are staying.

They have a Children's museum here and the kids love it, so that would be great. The aquarium should be a hit as well. Thanks for the advice.

[ncst8fan]

Hatteras and Ocracoke are fun. However. You now need an ORV permit to drive on the beach now. Gotta take a ferry from Hatteras to Ocracoke. The island is fun but not truly touristy



https://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvis...ations.htm#ORV

[01100101]

Originally Posted by ncst8fan

Hatteras and Ocracoke are fun. However. You now need an ORV permit to drive on the beach now. Gotta take a ferry from Hatteras to Ocracoke. The island is fun but not truly touristy



https://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvis...ations.htm#ORV

I may try that the next time we head out to OBX.

[01100101]

This place just opened.

https://www.h2obxwaterpark.com/

[chowbus]

The Lost Colony play is well worth it. Especially if the kids are learning sponges.

Rent bikes & ride all around the village in Ocracoke.
Pea Island National Wildlife Sanctuary. Bring binoculars & bug spray.
Climb the Cape Hatteras lighthouse. Well worth it.
Climb all the OB lighthouses. From Ocracoke to Corolla. (some you can't climb but are well worth the visits)
Walk out on any pier, night time is cool.
Breakfast at the Orange Blossom in Hatteras.
Duck Donuts in Kill Devil Hills.
Wright Brothers memorial & museum. You must walk to the top of the memorial. A very long walk, but well worth it.
Jockeys Ridge. Take some cardboard or boogie board to slide down the dune. Or just run down.
Roanoke Island Festival Park (be sure to take the kids on the Elizabeth II replica), Walk around downtown, Aquarium on Roanoke Island.

Just as long as the kids understand it is the beach & not a amusement park, yall will have fun. There's a reason why people all over the country come to
NC Outer Banks.
Have fun.